Flu visits to Milwaukee emergency departments drop

Health officials said Milwaukee area hospitals are seeing a drop in flu-related visits to the emergency room.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department recorded a decrease in hospital emergency department visits for influenza-like illness over the past week.

So far, 280 hospitalizations in the city have been reported to the Milwaukee Health Department compared with 93 a year ago. Hospitalizations remain highest for people ages 65 and above and younger than 1 year old.

Officials said while emergency department visits are declining in Milwaukee, there may be a rise in reported hospitalizations during coming weeks due to a lag in reporting from hospitals.

Health officials urge residents to help prevent the spread of flu as the season continues. They said it's not too late to get vaccinated.

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